Bobby's 'El Paso' seems dodgy, but if you think in terms of his state of mind after losing his pal Otis, it is actually kind of a raw and emotional listen. A much more taut, but still highly emotional 'El Paso', one where he actually sings all the words, is available at archive: 3/9/81, the astoundingly solid Glassberg FOB.

'Hell in a Bucket' is an unbelievable mess, kind of fun listening (once). Again, here we are not witnessing incompetence, just Bobby having a very rare off night for reasons that are easy to understand.

Things perk up in the 2nd set. The 'Scarlet/Fire' transition goes to that place. This is another show with no 'Space'.

This was when Healy Ultramatrix process was still in its prototype stage. The vocals sound weirdly doubletracked, I think because there was a wee bit too much delay between the room mics and the SBD feed. I actually prefer the Clugston FOB source.

Jerry is in great form, a lot of energy in the sugaree. and the band is driving nicely behind him. bobby not so much.

Bob's really struggling in this show. Poor guy. To his credit, he went on and played, despite a recent loss. Sounds like a real fight to get to the end of the show. Shows where Jerry's obviously been smoking speedballs, or shows in which the band sounds bad in a sad way like this always make me feel bad. I don't think this show was merely an off night. It sounds painful.

The pendulum really swung wide for the Dead; no other music makes me feel teary-eyed joy like they do, and no other band manages to sound as worn out and sad as they do (and no other band can do both at the same time like they can, either).

Jerry seems a bit more focused and comfortable with his songs than the prior night but Bobby just can't get it together. He can't remember lyrics(El Paso, ouch!), his voice sounds like shit, and his guitar is out of tune from what little I can hear of it in the mix.

Why anyone would enjoy this show beats me. Bob sounds terrible (okay, yeah, he was grieving for his dog...but his voice today still sucks), The boys are all lethargic and the show just drags. Worst-ever versions of El Paso, Johnny B. Goode, and Drums.

Bobs dog Otis died on this day,He is definately struggling in this show,I can feel his pain everytime i hear this show,makes me think of my 2 dogs who are also in dog heavan !!!

I heard that Otis died soon before this show. The El Paso was too sad for Bobby to sing. I think that they retired it for a while after this show. I was right up front (really, right at the stage!) and Bobby looked so sad during El Paso.

I don't remember much about the show itself - which is unusual because I usually remember a lot! The only things I really remember is who I was with (thanks Scott & Mark!) and this cool tie-dye I bought that was almost too small for me (but I still have it!) and the fact that Jerry and the boyz were just beginning to get their new sound together. But since I was there and remember being so happy, I'm giving it 3 stars.

Really miss these guys...

P.S.- The four stars are there to counteract your one. En garde, mon sourpuss.

-Pulver

He sure as hell ain't Betty Cantor-Jackson.

..///

...sorry.